Frankfurt 2009: Smart + Tesla + Brabus = High Voltage
by Jeremy Korzeniewski on Sep 21st 2009 at 7:27PM 
Brabus High Voltage - Click above for high-res image gallery
In addition to the Tailor Made concepts that Brabus trotted out for the Frankfurt Motor Show, the German tuning firm also showed off a new version of its electric Smart Fortwo called the Unlimited High Voltage. This new model is an updated version of the company's electric Smart ED concept and it features a lithium ion battery pack supplied by Tesla Motors, Daimler's electric vehicle partner.
The High Voltage's rear-mounted electric motor was also developed by Tesla and offers up 82 horsepower and 207 pound-feet of torque, which Brabus says is sufficient to push the little electric runabout to 60 mph in under 10 seconds. Additional interesting touches include aerodynamic wheels with clear plexiglass covers and wider side skirts to improve airflow. Inside, white leather seats with yellow stitching join a console-mounted monitor that displays the remaining state of charge.
The HV's single most intriguing bit of tech, though, would have to be the sound generator. This little unit will reportedly allow the diminutive electric machine to sound like a honkin' V8-powered racecar... should the owner feel so inclined. Check out the high-res image gallery below.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
naturalyshocked 7:35PM (9/21/2009)
Coool rims, but i never liked the 3 bolt mount, it should be 5 bolt, even some scooters here in europe have 5 bolt configuration.
: (
the color is cool.
nice seats.
but what about the LCD?
wasn't there a better possition, it looks like it got added after the car was build.
: (
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Quantumphysics 10:30PM (9/21/2009)
someday electric motors will be so powerful they'll be able to get 550 HP of torque out of this bastard and I'll be able to spin in circles at 1000 rpm.
naturalyshocked 10:47PM (9/21/2009)
@Quantumphysics
electric cars is a no go, right now and you know that.
the extra load on the electricity network.
from origin i'm an electrician and i'm doing a refreshing course right now.
do you know Ohm's law?
unless you don't have trifase current.
it would require to upgrade many substation trafo's and maybe change the cables from the substation to your house to have.
on how much watt is your house rated?
you need one of these
http://www.traktiebatterijennederland.nl/uploads/images/waterless.JPG
or wait an 8+ hours for the full charge.
do you realy want to adept your agenda to a car?
Satn 11:38PM (9/21/2009)
First, if you're going to pretend to know something about electricity, at least look up a wiki article first.
Second, is every car going electric tomorrow? I don't see a sudden massive influx of electrics in the next year or even 5 years.
Also, most charging would be done off peak, a lot less strain on the grid.
gearhead18 7:38PM (9/21/2009)
It's cool, but it would be a lot cooler if it didn't look like it was carved outta a block of wood
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HotRodzNKustoms 7:54PM (9/21/2009)
With all that torque in that small package I would expect it to be a tad quicker...
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Rich 8:33PM (9/21/2009)
Where's my 3000+lb/ft of twist?
Boyprodigy1 10:30PM (9/21/2009)
Especially since its an EV which is supposed to get 100% torque off of the line (at 0rpm).
willyolio 1:39AM (9/22/2009)
i think the limiting factor isn't the torque. if it had any more, it would do this every time you stepped on the pedal:
http://img.metro.co.uk/i/pix/2007/03/smart_450x359.jpg
Eric Bandholz 7:59PM (9/21/2009)
Don't need to go 60mph in the city. I actually like this little car a lot and it would be a perfect city car.
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artandcolour 8:42PM (9/21/2009)
make one in navy blue with natural color leather and i've got my next car. or dark gray with MB's old henna/russet leather, and i'm sold. heck, i'd even take MB-Tex and save some cows.
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edydantes 9:05PM (9/21/2009)
You know what would be better than this.... I'd even consider buying one... One of these with a Hayabusa motor in it.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cV4HdsDZX6c
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MachinaDC5 10:31PM (9/21/2009)
Makes more ft/lbs of torque than my Honda.
Way more.
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Satn 11:40PM (9/21/2009)
anyone know estimated prices?
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Andre Neves 11:40PM (9/21/2009)
Ooooo...just what I've always wanted. A pimped out puss-yellow smart car. Sure to get the ladies attention.
No, seriously. The color reminds me of the end-result of this huge pimple I once had as a teenager. Almost forgot about it until I saw this.
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Patrick 2:30AM (9/22/2009)
Well that....or a woman's discharge after a long day of wearing jeans in 100* heat and not showering before bed....
Ugh.
cwcentral 12:20AM (9/22/2009)
"diminutive electric machine to sound like a honkin' V8-powered racecar"
I'm all for electric, but that basically says welcome to the generation of mid-life crisis, kiddies and wimps. Let electric sound electric, not something else 'it ain't'.
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jpm100 6:40AM (9/22/2009)
It would be funny for while. Then get old.
And I'm not so sure if the blind, who are driving exterior noise requirements, want to be misled about what vehicles are around all that much more than not be alerted at all.
RamblinReck89 12:46AM (9/22/2009)
That many torques and it's still that slow? Sounds like it's all show and no go.
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bloodlovechaos 1:11AM (9/22/2009)
Ultra-rice.
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